By ADRIAN STEWART CO
D’Navigators-Iloilo had a triumphant 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference debut as they swept the Philippine Air Force, 25-21, 25-23, 25-19, at Paco Arena on Wednesday evening, January 25.
Team captain Jerome Cordez tallied 15 points to go with seven digs, while Jade Disquitado added 14 points, seven excellent receptions and six digs to help anchor the D’Navigators’ season-opener win.
“Credit sa mga players namin kasi siyempre naglaro sila ng maayos at nakikinig naman. Sabi ko lang tandaan na beterano ‘yung kalaban nila. Sila mas bata, mas kundisyon. Sabi ko alam niyo na ano ang advantage natin,” Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes said.
From a 20-all score midway in the opening set, the D’Navigators got consecutive conversions from Disquitado, Rash Nursiddik and Nas Gwaza to pound out the four-point win.
The Ilonggos kept pounding the net with strong attacks while pouncing on their rivals’ lapses in the second frame as the D’Navigators surged to a 20-11 advantage, but Air Force clawed its way back to within 23-24 before they committed an error.
Cordez then took over in the third frame as the D’Navigators surged to another early lead before capping his set-long brilliance with three hits to finish off the Airmen and complete the stunning win.
Alnakran “Ranran” Abdilla, a member of the Philippine men’s beach volleyball team, tallied 18 points on 17 attacks and an ace for Air Force, which also drew 10 points from Edwin Tolentino.
Iloilo thus joined Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography, which toppled Santa Rosa in four, and the Philippine Army, which stunned Navy in five on the inaugural on Sunday, January 22, with 1-0 record for an early lead of the 11-team field.
On the other hand, Vanguard Volley Hitters dealt National University Bulldogs’ title-retention drive a big blow with a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 13-25, 15-10 decision to make it a four-way tie for the lead.
Razzel Palisoc led the way with 20 points, while Vince Abrot and Jovs Camaganakan backed him up with 15 and 13 markers, respectively, as the Volley Hitters outhit the Builders, 51-37./ASC, WDJ